Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - Cultivating a culture of caring on the Virginia Peninsula!

Dean of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics
 Cultivating a culture of caring
  on the Virginia Peninsula!

GREETINGS

                                Thank you for considering Thomas Nelson, which is
                                becoming Virginia Peninsula Community College, as
                                you plan the next steps of your professional journey.

                                For over 50 years, the College has provided
                                educational access and instructional excellence to
                                multitudes of diverse students. Whether students
                                enrolled to pursue an associate degree or short-term
                                high-demand training and certification, we afforded
                                pathways to opportunity paved by the values of
                                diversity, equity, and inclusion.

                                 As we tackle the challenges of a global pandemic, an
uncertain economy, and the continuing realities of social and economic inequities, the
College seeks to hire colleagues who are resilient and adaptive. We seek colleagues
who combine passion and purpose, who are innovative, entrepreneurial and those
who understand and appreciate the multiple and competing priorities of our diverse
student populations. We seek servant leaders who can quickly respond to the essential
needs of our PreK-12, higher education, business, and community stakeholders.

The challenges of the past two years have strengthened our commitment to access
and success. Through the ingenuity of our faculty, the industriousness of our staff,
and the grit of our students, we personify the College’s mission to change lives and
transform communities. We remain dedicated to initiatives that help our community
recover and prosper.

I hope you will consider joining our team.

Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon

President

THE COLLEGE

Thomas Nelson Community College is the sixth largest of Virginia’s 23 community
colleges. The College provides financially-accessible, high-quality, comprehensive
educational programs and services to the Virginia Peninsula. Thomas Nelson proudly
serves the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg and the
counties of James City and York.

In September 2021, the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges, on a
recommendation from the Thomas Nelson College Local Advisory Board, voted
to change the name of the College to Virginia Peninsula Community College. The
state board in summer 2020 asked local college advisory boards to review the
appropriateness of the names of its college, campuses, and facilities having updated
its college naming policy to read: “should reflect the values of inclusive and accessible
education articulated in the VCCS mission statement, with special emphasis on
diversity, equity, and opportunity, and be relevant to the students it seeks to serve and
to the geography of its service region.”

The College enrolled its first 1,232 students in fall 1968 at its Hampton campus,
becoming the first community college in the region. Thomas Nelson received its initial
accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate degree in 1970. In 2009, the College
officially established the Historic Triangle campus to serve students in the Greater
Williamsburg area. In addition to campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg, the College
also offers programs and services at four satellite centers in Hampton and Newport
News.

The College offers associate degree programs that prepare individuals for transfer,
as upper-division students, to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year
institutions, and associate degree programs to prepare individuals as technical and
paraprofessional workers in high-demand careers. In addition Thomas Nelson provides
a numerous workforce programs designed to provide industry-recognized training in
healthcare, IT, cybersecurity, culinary, and manufacturing and construction trades.

COMMUNITY
The College serves a region renowned for being America’s birthplace and home to communities rich in culture
and history. The Peninsula is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metropolitan Statistical area,
which has an estimated population of 1.7 million.

The Peninsula is home to diverse                                           YORK
                                                                           COUNTY
industries that drive economic
growth and workforce needs in               PROUDLY
the area, including a large military
presence, which contributes to            SERVING THE
40% of the region's economy. The            VIRGINIA
Peninsula is also home to
Newport News Shipbuilding, the             PENINSULA!
sole designer, builder, and
refueler for the U.S. Navy. Other
industries in the region include
healthcare, aerospace, advanced                                             CITY OF
manufacturing, and growing                                                  NEWPORT NEWS

technology needs.

                                                           JAMES CITY
                                                             COUNTY

                                       CITY OF
                                       HAMPTON

                                                                            CITY OF
           CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG                                             POQUOSON

                      work here, live here, explore here,
                                       grow here...

STUDENT LIFE
In academic year 2020-2021 Thomas Nelson served 9,652
students (unduplicated headcount) in credit instruction. The
College serves a highly diverse region, and its student body
closely reflects the demographics of the greater community.
Of the College’s 9,652 credit students, 61.1 % are female, 31.1%
are 25 years old or older, and 48.6% are minority in terms
of race/ethnicity. Traditionally underserved populations, as
defined by student race/ethnicity, first-generation status and
income level, comprise 57.8% of the College’s unduplicated
credit headcount.

Thomas Nelson recognizes that high academic standards
require a high level of student support. As such, the College
offers comprehensive student support services to ensure
student success, whether the individual is working toward a
bachelor’s degree or training for career advancement.

The College provides academic advising, tutoring, career
services, and a math emporium for students in developmental
math. Additional programs like TRiO Student Support and
Great Expectations ensure that situations beyond our students’
control do not hinder their progress. Thomas Nelson also
provides counseling, mental health and Disability Support
Services. Thomas Nelson’s Care Team provides a biannual Pop-
Up Clothes Closest that distributes gently-used clothing and
a Food Pantry that opens daily in partnership with the Virginia
Peninsula Foodbank to serve our students’ basic needs beyond
the classroom free of charge.

The College is honored to serve students who are active-
duty, veteran and dependent military. In 2020-2021, 24.6% of
Thomas Nelson credit students indicated a military affiliation
(e.g., active-duty, veteran, military spouse, or military
dependent).

In continuing efforts to serve those who have served, the
College provides our veterans with more opportunities to
succeed academically at Thomas Nelson. The College has
expanded several enrollment and employment services at two
campuses and area military bases for military and veterans.

The College has a Veteran Services Office and Veteran Services
Center, military transition services through the College Career
Center, credit classes on local military bases, VA approval for
high-demand short-term workforce development certificates,
and certified full-time Thomas Nelson staff to offer VA
education benefits on-site.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Thomas Nelson offers numerous short-term, two-year and
college transfer programs creating many pathways to a
rewarding career.

Programs are available in the
following career pathways:
Arts & Humanities
Business & Finance
Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and IT
Education & Social Science
Engineering & Science
Health & Wellness
Manufacturing & Mechanics
Public Safety & Law
Drones, Transportation & Licensing

Each pathway is under a specific academic division and is
headed by a dean or department chair depending upon size.
Thomas Nelson’s academic divisions include Arts, Business,
Humanities and Social Sciences; Public Safety, Allied Health
and Human Services; and Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics.

Academic Affairs works in partnership with employers across
Hampton Roads in identified high-demand fields. Employers
in industries such as healthcare, shipbuilding, advanced
manufacturing, skilled trades, hospitality and more serve
on various advisory boards, giving counsel and supporting
innovative educational experiences for Thomas Nelson
students.

The College is also recognized for its transfer programs.
Known in our community as 2-plus-2 programs, our transfer
offerings afford students who complete an approved
transfer degree the equivalent of the first two years of an
undergraduate degree. In addition, Thomas Nelson has
several articulation agreements as a result of partnerships
with regional four-year institutions and employers in the
area. Partners at Virginia’s four-year institutions and our own
graduates regularly tell us how well prepared Thomas Nelson
students are when they transfer to pursue their bachelor’s
degrees.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Thomas Nelson Community College Workforce Development is dedicated to creating customized
programs that develop and enhance the Virginia Peninsula’s workforce through tailored training for
individuals and organizations, small and large. Our short-term, hands-on, training and curriculum cover
high-demand areas identified by the needs of the region’s employers. Workforce Development instructors
are expert trainers who represent many fields and deliver classes from locations in Williamsburg, Hampton
and on-site at local businesses based on individual and business needs. Workforce Development also
customizes courses to meet the needs of regional organizations providing just-in-time services. Thomas
Nelson has partnered with major employers across the region including Ferguson Enterprises, Canon
Virginia, Inc., and Newport News Shipbuilding, to create tailored programs and credentials that prepare
their workforce for the next level of transformation at their organizations.

To help sustain a highly-skilled workforce on the Virginia Peninsula, Thomas Nelson Workforce
Development maintains a state-of-the-art full-service training facility in Hampton at the region’s Peninsula
Workforce Development Center (PWDC). The PWDC offers various services including the Manufacturing
Excellence Center that includes flexible manufacturing, industrial, and welding labs to meet the
Peninsula’s workforce development needs.

Thomas Nelson Workforce Development has also established training facilities at the Prudential Town
Realty building in Williamsburg.

Thomas Nelson and Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia partnered to provide workforce training.
Delivered at the Center for Building and Construction Trades which launched in 2015, the training leads
to employment in well-paying jobs for a portion of the Peninsula’s population that has historically been
underemployed. Thomas Nelson offers short-term training to meet the expanding need for skilled workers
in construction and building trades. Training at the Center replicates real worksites of apartment and
building maintenance, HVAC, electrical systems, and plumbing technicians.

FACULTY & STAFF
Thomas Nelson’s faculty, staff and administrators, who total
roughly 616, are driven by the core values: students first,
educational excellence, community responsiveness, integrity,
diversity, and mutual respect.

Thomas Nelson has 91 full-time teaching faculty and 291
part-time faculty. Plus, 99 adjunct faculty serve Workforce
Development students. Full-time faculty serve as department
chairs, club advisors, and faculty mentors to their colleagues
and their students. Thomas Nelson faculty are dedicated
to their students, and their experience ranges widely from
distinguished specialists with over 30 years of teaching and
research to vibrant young scholars just completing their
master’s degrees or doctoral studies.

LEARNING RESOURCES
The Learning Resources Center advances the College’s mission
through a comprehensive, readily accessible collection of
informational materials, instructional technologies, and other
academic support services designed to meet the educational
needs of students, faculty, and staff. The Learning Resources
Center provides a supportive environment, tools, and
expertise that nurture and enhance the teaching and learning
process for the entire college community.

Thomas Nelson’s Learning Resource Centers are located on
campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg. In addition, LRC staff
are available online to support distance learners, staff and
faculty needs.

FACILITIES
Thomas Nelson has campuses in Hampton and the Historic Triangle in Williamsburg.
The College also offers classes at the Southeast Higher Education Center, a satellite
site at in Newport News. The College also has two workforce development centers. The
Hampton locations include the Center for Building and Construction Trades and the
Peninsula Workforce Development Center.

The Hampton campus is home to the Dr. Mary T. Christian Auditorium, a gem in our
community that offers an exciting venue for performing arts, lectures, films, symposia
and other similar events. Currently under reconstruction, the facility is slated to reopen
in the near future.

The Historic Triangle campus boasts a state-of-the-art facility in which aspiring dental
hygienists receive education and hands-on training under the supervision of expert
faculty.

Thomas Nelson’s original three buildings, Diggs, Moore, and Harrison halls opened in
1968. The General Assembly provided substantial funding for the detailed planning
and design of a new building as replacement for the three buildings. The contract
for the project was awarded to RRMM Architects in 2018, and in 2019 the Thomas
Nelson’s Local Board, the Art and Architectural Review Board and the State Board for
Community Colleges approved the schematic design for the replacement building.

At an approved project cost of $38 million, the new three-story, 75,000 square-foot
building will provide 13,000 square feet more than the existing three buildings. The
building will house 27 total classrooms, nine more than the current three buildings,
including a Math Emporium and cybersecurity laboratory. The building will be
prominently situated at the front of the Hampton campus facing I-64, offering a more
appealing view along that stretch.

ACCREDITATION
Thomas Nelson Community College is accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the
Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur,
Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for information
about the accreditation of Thomas Nelson Community
College.

THOMAS NELSON
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
The Thomas Nelson Community College Educational
Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded to
generate support for Thomas Nelson Community College
by raising funds, increasing visibility, and strengthening
partnerships between the College and state and local
communities.

Established in 1979, the Educational Foundation works
to identify private financial support and other funding to
augment college programs and support the development
of new courses, resources, and student success related
initiatives. The Foundation’s 15-member board consists of
volunteers who represent the leadership of the Peninsula
community and provide oversight responsibility to the
Foundation. Funds are used to provide various types of
support including scholarships, faculty development,
program support, and capital needs. The Foundation supports
well over 50 scholarships and a wide range of academic
programs.

The Foundation has a direct impact on our students’ success,
and program areas thanks to generous individual, corporate,
and foundation partnerships. Donations to the Educational
Foundation support scholarships, help first-generation
college students receive access to academic support services,
provide emergency funding for students, faculty and staff in
distress, support innovative programs and more.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The College’s president, who is advised by the Local College Board, reports to the
Virginia Community College System chancellor. The Local Board is a 14-member
governing body appointed by the localities in the Thomas Nelson serve area.

The President’s Cabinet includes vice president of Academic Affairs, interim vice
president of Workforce Development, vice president of Finance and Administration,
vice president of Institutional Advancement, vice president of Student Affairs and
associate vice president of Human Resources & Organizational Development.

Among the College’s core values is mutual respect and shared governance. In that
vein, the College values everyone’s contributions, encourages the sharing of ideas, and
commits to equitable treatment. Thomas Nelson acknowledges a shared responsibility
for institutional success and improvement and is dedicated to shared decision
making characterized by broad participation, openness and teamwork. The Colleges’
four constituency groups represent members of the College community and work
toward shared governance. The constituency groups include the Faculty Senate, the
College Support Staff Association, Mid-Level Managers, and the Student Government
Association.

The Position
Thomas Nelson, which is becoming Virginia Peninsula Community College, welcomes applications for a dean
to lead the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) division. Founded in 1967, we serve
the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg as well as counties of James City and
York. As of Academic year 2020-2021, our college was the 6th largest in the Virginia’s Community College
System - enrolling 9,652 credit seeking students and 1,100 non-credit seeking students. We are proud of our
award-winning faculty, our nationally accredited and professionally recognized academic and training
programs, and strong dual enrollment and early college programs, powerful partnerships, and our student
success outcomes. This college epitomizes its mission to change lives and transform communities.

The Dean will have unique opportunities to lead at an institution that celebrates strong partnerships with
our PreK-12 public and private school partners, renowned four-year colleges and universities, local and
multi-national business partners, Workforce Councils, Chambers of Commerce, social service, and
community-based organizations, and our many military allies.

We are nestled in the backyard of the NASA Langley Research Center, Jefferson Lab, multiple military
bases, the Commonwealth’s largest infrastructure project, one of the first residential homes built with 3D
printer, and the first U.S. offshore wind energy development in federal waters. Our community is home to a
diverse array of homeland defense, and security organizations, the largest nuclear ship and submarine
building company in the United States, the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Colonial Williamsburg, major
medical and healthcare institutions, excellent public-school systems, renowned colleges and universities,
theme parks, museums, research centers, entrepreneurial incubation labs, fine dining, arts, entertainment,
and leisure.

A description of the position
This is a twelve-month administrative-faculty position, reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) serves as a senior academic officer for the
college. The Dean’s primary responsibility will be to the faculty, guiding and managing daily decision making
and departmental operations. This senior leadership position requires the Dean to be present both on
campus and in the community, serving as the face of STEM innovation for the College. The Dean will manage
current grants and be expected to assist the college in identifying and applying for other STEM-based grants
and awards. The Dean will also focus on community partnerships and innovative responses to the region’s
current and emerging STEM needs.

The Dean leads and executes initiatives in alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan and the STEM
Division’s Strategic Plan. The Dean is expected to work collaboratively with department heads, fellow Deans
and Directors, the President’s Cabinet and College constituency groups to promote shared governance.

The Dean will work collaboratively with enrollment management leadership to develop and implement a
recruitment plan to establish and achieve programmatic enrollment goals. The Dean will engage
collaboratively with faculty and Student Affairs leadership to design and implement initiatives to achieve
target student retention and degree completion rates. The Dean will demonstrate an ongoing commitment
to external accreditation through assessment and program review ensuring academic quality and
productivity.

The Dean attends and participates in professional group meetings; remains abreast of new STEM trends,
STEM-related innovations. The Dean advises, provides expert guidance, and prepares and delivers
presentations to College leadership on issues pertaining to growth opportunities in STEM education and
workforce training.

The Dean will be responsible for budget development, curriculum development and program health review,
administrative and organizational effectiveness, the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies,
procedures, and operational needs to ensure a welcoming environment that supports quality instruction and
student success.

Duties & Responsibilities
The Dean will oversee multiple processes including, but not limited to:
  Budgeting, space allocation, and infrastructure oversight
  Faculty recruitment and hiring, faculty retention, supervision of departmental chairs
  Program assessment and review, strategic planning, implementation of college goals
  Serve as the principal STEM officer and spokesperson for the College on matters of STEM education,
   innovation, and partnership
 Serve on appropriate faculty and administrative committees
 Maintain current knowledge of program rules and regulations and communicate changes to faculty and
   staff
 Oversees programs, activities, and training to enhance faculty and administrative understanding of
   education practices, curriculum standards, and instructional strategies related to assigned area programs
   and services
 Oversees and participates in reviewing faculty curriculum and provides technical advice on changes and
   modifications to curriculum; works with faculty on curriculum development and transfer articulation
   proposals
 Directs, and coordinates the implementation of strategic plan goals, objectives, policies, and procedures
 Uses independent judgment in the interpretation and application of rules, regulations, policies, and
   procedures
 Provides leadership and works collaboratively and productively with all stakeholders, including faculty,
   students, administrators, support staff, and the community
 Responds to difficult and sensitive student and faculty inquiries and complaints and assists with
   resolutions and alternative recommendations
 Develops, implements, and evaluates academic programs and services
 Utilizes data and assessment outcomes in decision-making
 Counsels, directs, and facilitates professional development of division faculty and staff
 Develops and monitors budgets and grants, and effectively utilizes resources
 Recruits, selects, supervises, and evaluates employees
 Interprets, applies, explains, and ensures compliance with accreditation standards, federal, state, and
   local policies, procedures, laws, regulations
 Prepares clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials
 Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Qualifications
This is an outstanding opportunity to lead an institution with passionate and innovative faculty, and
academic programs that are poised for growth. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, pioneering, student-
centered, established, or emerging leader, who will be able to guide the college to new levels of
achievement and recognition.

The Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) will have strong communication and
interpersonal skills and provide dynamic leadership. The Dean will unify and inspire a diverse faculty,
promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, and pursue opportunities for growth. The Dean
will be a problem solver and bring to the position a capacity to envision and develop new programs across
disciplines. It is imperative that the Dean have a familiarity with strategic planning as well as the

demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with other college stakeholders.

The Dean is expected to exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and
understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and
ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or
learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and working environment.

The Dean should have teaching experience and possess a demonstrated record of administrative
accomplishments.

Minimum Qualifications:
  Master’s degree in the discipline served by the unit.
  Minimum of three years’ full-time teaching experience, preferably at a community college.
  Minimum of three years’ experience as an academic leader whose responsibilities included leadership of
   personnel and budget management.
 Direct experience overseeing science, technology, engineering, and math academic programs.
 Experience and proficiency with grant management.
 Experience and proficiency with college accreditation procedures, practices, and standards.

Preferred Qualifications:
 Strong commitment to professional ethics.
 Commitment to community involvement.
 Demonstrated competencies for community college leaders as outlined by American Association of
   Community College
 Commitment to increasing the diversity of faculty, staff, and students in the College.
 Understanding of contemporary issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity, access, and opportunity as
   related to higher education
 Experience with the institutional and professional accreditation/reaffirmation processes.
 Experience in managing large external federal grants.
 Ability to represent the College in local, regional, and national settings.
 Excellent skills in managing budgets, academic programs, and personnel.

Type of Appointment
Full-time 12-month administrative faculty ranked position. Salary range is $90,000 - $112,000. Salary is
commensurate with education and experience of the candidate.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin on March 14, 2022. Anticipated start date is July 2022. To apply for this
position please visit the Thomas Nelson Community College website. Unofficial transcripts and other
application materials may be submitted via the online portal. Official transcripts will be required upon
hire.

Contact:
Melanie McNall, Human Resources Analyst
mcnallm@tncc.edu

HAMPTON CAMPUS
          99 Thomas Nelson Drive
            Hampton, VA 23666
               757.825.2700

HISTORIC TRIANGLE CAMPUS
           4601 Opportunity Way
           Williamsburg, VA 23188
                 757.253.4300

  PENINSULA WORKFORCE
  DEVELOPMENT CENTER
            600 Butler Farm Road
             Hampton, VA 23666
                757.865.3122

       SOUTHEAST HIGHER
       EDUCATION CENTER
 located at An Achievable Dream Middle and High School

           5720 Marshall Avenue
          Newport News, VA 23605
            757.283.7820 ext. 8

  CENTER FOR BUILDING &
  CONSTRUCTION TRADES
    at GOODWILL (CBT)
              1911 Saville Row
             Hampton, VA 23666
                757.867.0145